The Hanoi People's Court Friday sentenced two persons, Nguyen Ba Hai and Hoang Thi Hong, two three and two years in prison respectively for selling fake Viagra tablets.

The court was told that Hong, a 27-year-old medical representative, recognized high demand for Viagra - used for treating of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension through retail pharmacists.

Hong then colluded with Hai, 38, to sell fake versions of the drug.

Hai confessed he bought the fake medicine for VND16,000 per tablet from a Chinese man and delivered them to local drugstores where Pfizer's Viagra tablets sold for VND800,000 (US$38.9) each.

Hong was arrested by Hanoi police on January 5 while carrying a package of 800 fake Viagra tablets on her motorbike.

Subsequent investigations led to the detainment of Hai on the same day. During a raid on his house, the police found another 960fake Viagra tablets.